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UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, the right to a hero !

Organizational Context and Purpose for the job

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

JOB ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

Purpose for the job

The Senior Finance Associate will be responsible for providing a variety of specialized tasks in finance functions, ensuring accurate and timely delivery that is in compliance with UNICEF financial rules and regulations, whilst demonstrating the capacity to research, adapt and evaluate irregular cases, and also to recommend improvements to process delivery and design.

How can you make a difference? 

Key functions, accountabilities and related duties/tasks.

At the G-7 level, the tasks below are expected to be carried out with a high level of independence.

1. Provide support and oversight to transactional teams.

• Provide technical expertise, proficiency and procedural oversight to transactional teams ensuring consistent adherence to standards, policies, and best practices based on substantial subject-matter knowledge.
• Exercise a high degree of autonomy in leading stream-specific project implementations and cross-functional initiatives with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ensure accurate representation of business units’ needs in relevant projects and forums, reflecting a broad scope and impact of support services.
• Ensure timely and quality reporting of incidents and facilitate efficient resolution in line with service quality expectations.
• Monitor the performance of transactional teams, identify gaps, ensure quality control, and address recurring issues proactively.
• Lead the development and maintenance of critical process documentation, ensuring alignment with evolving business needs and compliance standards.

2. Enable informed decision-making.

• Provide data-driven insights and reports to drive change and support informed decision making.
• Proper handling and protection of sensitive and confidential information in line with data privacy rules and internal controls.  
• Monitor trends in process performance and suggest adjustments or optimizations based on findings.
• Offer high-level insights into operational risks, challenges, and strategic opportunities ensuring informed decision-making across functional areas.
• Identify systemic risks and present well-structured mitigation strategies that address root causes and anticipate future bottlenecks.

3. Drive process improvement.

• Lead or actively contribute to business solution initiatives that generate upstream value.
• Take ownership of relevant internal project delivery, ensuring end-to-end delivery with minimal supervision, including pilot implementation of processes.
• Identify and resolve technical or process-related bottlenecks that hinder transactional processing, act as a key contributor in diagnosing areas where technical solutions would improve business performance proposing practical, innovative solutions.
• Independently conduct root cause for recurring issues and identify areas for process redesign.
• Leverage high-level technical and procedural knowledge to recommend and implement innovative, scalable solutions for performance enhancement and efficiency improvements.

4. Stakeholder management.

• Navigate and resolve sensitive, complex matters, align expectations between stakeholders through clear, diplomatic communication and engagement.
• Establish and maintain strong working relationships across functions and grades, demonstrating influence and credibility.
• Proactively manage stakeholder expectations by articulating both the constraints and benefits of proposed solutions, ensuring shared ownership of outcomes.
• Support behavioral change initiatives across Offices, guiding and coaching stakeholders to adopt new systems and processes.

5. Support system enhancement.

• Gather and define system requirements from end users to support system enhancements.
• Participate in relevant system testing and user acceptance testing (UAT) to ensure that system enhancements meet business needs.
• Support the smooth rollout of system enhancements through communication, training, and issue resolution.
• Assist in troubleshooting system issues and liaise between transactional teams and other stakeholders for quick resolution.

6. Financial transactions, reporting and quality assurance.

• Perform monthly bank reconciliation task as follows:
  • Perform monthly analysis of Bank GL and follow up on reconciling items appearing in the BRS for timely clearance.
  • Communicate with GSSC to provide them with necessary information to perform bank reconciliation.
• Perform a variety of analytical and reconciliation tasks as follows:
  • Review assigned general ledger and subsidiary ledger accounts on a regular and timely basis to support management and financial reporting; and solicit explanation about variances and anomalies from Abidjan Staff and Zonal Offices.
  • Reconcile assigned general ledger and subsidiary ledger accounts to other accounting records and /or external records/statements.
  • Apply Technical knowledge to propose solutions for issues related to classification, codification and recording of accounting transactions.
  • Bring to the attention of supervisor proposed solutions for issues, and any irregularities resulting from the review, investigation or reconciliation of account.
  • Assist high level officers in preparation of month-end and year-end financial closure activities
• Perform HACT assurance activities task as follows:
  • Review of CSO budget to be submitted to PRC.
  • Perform spot-check as per office assurance plan.
  • Review spot check report assigned
  • Occasionally carry out verification of cash transfer documents for compliance tests.
• Perform any other task when required.

Impact of Results

The efficiency and efficacy of the Senior Finance Associate directly impacts on the optimum, appropriate and effective use of resources and efficient financial recording, accounting and reporting, which in turn facilitates management oversight, decision making and quality control.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• Education: Completion of secondary education (BAC) is required. Professional and/or university courses related to the field of work are highly desirable.
• Work Experience: Minimum seven (7) years of relevant experience in the area of finance and accounting is required.
• Skills : 

  1. Project Management (3)
  • Create project plans, objectives and deliverables.
  • Track and organize resources like time, budget, and team efforts.
  • Identify and report potential risks for further guidance.

  2. Collaboration (3)
  • Navigate organizational dynamics and adapt behavior to respond to different situations.
  • Choose appropriate words, tone and tailors' messages respectfully and persuasively to suit different audiences.
  • Write clear, concise and well-structured reports and documents using appropriate language.
  • Pay close attention to what others are saying, asking questions for clarification.
  • Present ideas and information clearly in front of groups.

  3. Problem Solving (3)
  • Analyze data, identify trends, patterns and anomalies.
  • Evaluate information, analyze problems, identify underlying causes and risks.
  • Summarize and communicate findings, focusing on actionable insights to support decision-making.
  • Make decisions in time-sensitive situations, even with incomplete information.
  • Assess the potential impact of solutions (costs, benefits and risks).

  4. Digital Dexterity (3)
  • Utilize AI-powered tools and platforms to automate data analysis.
  • Apply prompts to improve the quality of reports and data, ensuring alignment with internal regulations and policies.
  • Use specialist technology business systems and software.
  • Analyze and summarize data from various business systems to generate reports and insights.

• Language Requirements: Fluency in French is required. Working knowledge of English or a local language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (1)
• Works Collaboratively with Others (1)
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships (1)
• Innovates and Embraces Change (1)
• Thinks and Acts Strategically (1)
• Drives to Achieve Impactful Results (1)
• Manages Ambiguity and Complexity (1)

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, eligible and suitable female candidates and/or candidates with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason. 

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF’s Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.